Visitors to Chicago and Illinois have a guide to help navigate LGBTQ and mainstream events and places to see: The 2017 OUT! Chicago and Illinois LGBTQ Visitor's Guide is now available.

The 124-page guide, published by weekly LGBTQ newspaper Windy City Times, includes sections on things to do outside of the city, from Oak Park and the total eclipse downstate this summer to the Shawnee National Forest and Springfield.

The rest of the guide focuses on Chicago and its suburbs, with hundreds of attractions, museums, art galleries, architectural locations, theaters, dance companies, restaurants, music venues, LGBT clubs and parties, sports leagues, bookstores, events and more listed. There's also a quick reference to travel and accommodations, and a detailed guide to the city's many neighborhoods.

While a lot of the LGBTQ community is concentrated on the city's North Side, especially in Boystown, Lakeview and Andersonville, the guide is careful to provide things to do across the city and suburbs, from Pullman, Little Village, Bridgeport and Hyde Park to Humboldt Park, Pilsen and Evanston. And the traditional downtown tourist attractions are also included, such as Millennium Park, the Art Institute and Navy Pier.

Windy City Times partnered with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity on their tourism efforts, which include a big push for LGBTQ tourists to the state from across the U.S. and internationally. Department Director Cory Jobe has been spearheading inclusion of LGBTQ images and outreach in state tourism, and this OUT! Guide is linked from the Illinois tourism website, www.enjoyillinois.com .

"From a vibrant LGBTQ community in Chicago and beyond, to pride events in cities across the state and plenty of festivities and travel experiences, there's so much for LGBTQ travelers to discover in Illinois," said Cory Jobe, Director of the Illinois Office of Tourism. "In a state that offers such a variety of activities to inspire travel, the new OUT! Guide helps us showcase how Illinois tourism provides something for everyone, from those who want outdoor adventures to those looking for great indoor fun."

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